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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
   
Location: Montana | So, approximately how many people does it take to put on a barrel race, by that I mean to run it: I'm figuring an announcer/office person could be one and the same if necessary. Then a gate person and another person to drag the arena, and they could double as barrel setters if needed.
ALSO: What is the most effective way without stakes to set barrels on a correct pattern? And, does the arena typically supply the tractor to drag or how does that work out? Also, how often should you drag? Most of these Wednesday night deals don't attract much more than 30 people, so I'm thinking drag every 7 runners or so? Other places I've been have done every 5, but it seemed like a lot to me, but I know the ground can get deep.
Any other hints/advice/tips would be most appreciated. I've never done this before, and while I'm not afraid of work, I also can't do something that will overwhelm me either.
I have had this idea in my mind for a while and we are in need of some week night races around here. Thanks in advance!
Edited by mtcanchazer 2017-05-30 10:20 PM
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5408
| One person to take entries and figure payoff, an announcer at least one barrel sitter, 3 would be better. Tractor driver and gate person. If the entry person is also announcing then the payoff won't be done when over. If the tractor or gate person is having to sit up barrels it will greatly slow the race down so get seperate people for all those jobs. Most drag every 5, alternate between taking the barrels out and draging around them. If you don't have barrel stakes you can take two ropes tied to the fence and where they come togeter is where the barrel is sit. You would do that for each barrel. Don't really know how to explain that. To run a good barrel race you need to have everything planned out and plenty of help. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1409
Location: Oklahoma | Super Thick Skin!!! | |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| Turnburnsis - 2017-05-31 12:13 AM
Super Thick Skin!!!
NO kidding! I REALLY appreciate those who put them on! | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| 2 people in the office. One to announce/run the show and one to help record times, figure payoff and answer questions as people come up to the office.
Gate person - maybe 2 depending on the gate setup.
Tractor driver, can also set the 3rd barrel if the tractor parks at that end.
2 additional barrel setters.
So that is 6.
If you offer free warm ups at the next show you may get help with barrel setting - for example if you set a barrel for 2 drags you get a free warm up for the following show.
Run it well and they will come. Run a hot mess and they won't come back.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | OhMax - 2017-05-31 7:53 AM
2 people in the office. One to announce/run the show and one to help record times, figure payoff and answer questions as people come up to the office.
Gate person - maybe 2 depending on the gate setup.
Tractor driver, can also set the 3rd barrel if the tractor parks at that end.
2 additional barrel setters.
So that is 6.
If you offer free warm ups at the next show you may get help with barrel setting - for example if you set a barrel for 2 drags you get a free warm up for the following show.
Run it well and they will come. Run a hot mess and they won't come back.
This! Organization is key, but know that there is NO WAY to please everyone. The smoother it goes the happier everyone will be and the more chance you will have of people returning. Don't short change yourself on help- it takes a village to put on a barrel race. They are a lot of work. | |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Agree with all the above and I do not know how you would correctly set the barrel without using stakes. I was at a race one where they tied a string to the fence to help find the stake if lost on the drag. OM goodness it took FOREVER, the string was constantly tangled, they would try to get the knots out, pull the string out, be at an angle and still could not find the stakes. It has been my experience that a little effort up fronts pays off in the long run, use stakes, measure the distance/count the steps to the fence and watch them during the drags or put a cone over them. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| rodeomom3 - 2017-05-31 8:24 AM
Agree with all the above and I do not know how you would correctly set the barrel without using stakes. I was at a race one where they tied a string to the fence to help find the stake if lost on the drag. OM goodness it took FOREVER, the string was constantly tangled, they would try to get the knots out, pull the string out, be at an angle and still could not find the stakes. It has been my experience that a little effort up fronts pays off in the long run, use stakes, measure the distance/count the steps to the fence and watch them during the drags or put a cone over them.
I agree with this. Also, if the barrels weren't staked, there was all kinds of drama at the end of the race. I won't go to a race if I know the barrels aren't staked. Too much drama! | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| GLP - 2017-05-31 8:34 AM
rodeomom3 - 2017-05-31 8:24 AM
Agree with all the above and I do not know how you would correctly set the barrel without using stakes. I was at a race one where they tied a string to the fence to help find the stake if lost on the drag. OM goodness it took FOREVER, the string was constantly tangled, they would try to get the knots out, pull the string out, be at an angle and still could not find the stakes. It has been my experience that a little effort up fronts pays off in the long run, use stakes, measure the distance/count the steps to the fence and watch them during the drags or put a cone over them.
I agree with this. Also, if the barrels weren't staked, there was all kinds of drama at the end of the race. I won't go to a race if I know the barrels aren't staked. Too much drama!
Yes, use stakes. I have set barrels using the string method and it is too easy to get off in your placement.
Get a good long stake and hi visability nylon rope. Attach the rope and tape well at the stake end - DO NOT tape the other ends together, the drag will grab the stake every time. Pound the stake in as far as you can - below ground level and then wack it a couple more times for good measure.
Tell your barrel setters they need to watch their stakes, go pull the rope up as soon as the tractor passes. Usually they get lost when the setter is not watching and the tractor makes 2 or more passes over the stake really burying it.
Put tape on the fence behind the barrels so if you do pull a stake you can quickly retape and replace it accurately, or if you just have one get buried you can measure off the fence to find it. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Thanks for all the advice and it is most appreciated it! So 6 people minimum to make it run smoothly with office, barrel setting, gate, etc. And I do like things to run smoothly!
This particular arena I'm looking at has never had stakes and I've run there before and it never seemed to be an issue, but I haven't run there in probably 5 years as no one has put on barrel races at the arena (ground was decent when I was there, so I don't know why). It is mainly use for roping. It is definitely a "standard" pattern arena, I know that much. Thank you for the tips on the stakes, it sounds like it isn't too difficult. Because it is a roping arena, how do you go about pulling them back up when you are done? Or do you?
Also, I have a payout calculator that figures payouts for NBHA, BRN4D, and IBRA. To me the simplest and fairest payouts were the BRN4D payouts, but is there any one system/percentages you prefer? | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1141
Location: Somewhere across the SABINE | I produced local shows for a couple of years. when you are throwing the idea around, everyone jumps up and says they will help you, however when it gets down to it....not many are there.
get an old horseshoe and tie a rope to it solid, wrap the rope with brightcolored duct tape, measure where you want them to be, dig a 3-4 foot hole and bury it with the rope on top. The horseshoe can lay down flat in a hole.
You will gain a lot of friends and lose a lot, super thick skin is needed.
good luck- the more staff the better | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| Woodys Mama - 2017-06-01 2:13 PM
I produced local shows for a couple of years. when you are throwing the idea around, everyone jumps up and says they will help you, however when it gets down to it....not many are there.
get an old horseshoe and tie a rope to it solid, wrap the rope with brightcolored duct tape, measure where you want them to be, dig a 3-4 foot hole and bury it with the rope on top. The horseshoe can lay down flat in a hole.
You will gain a lot of friends and lose a lot, super thick skin is needed.
good luck- the more staff the better
 
Ain't that the truth! | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| mtcanchazer - 2017-05-31 9:36 AM
Thanks for all the advice and it is most appreciated it! So 6 people minimum to make it run smoothly with office, barrel setting, gate, etc. And I do like things to run smoothly!
This particular arena I'm looking at has never had stakes and I've run there before and it never seemed to be an issue, but I haven't run there in probably 5 years as no one has put on barrel races at the arena (ground was decent when I was there, so I don't know why). It is mainly use for roping. It is definitely a "standard" pattern arena, I know that much. Thank you for the tips on the stakes, it sounds like it isn't too difficult. Because it is a roping arena, how do you go about pulling them back up when you are done? Or do you?
Also, I have a payout calculator that figures payouts for NBHA, BRN4D, and IBRA. To me the simplest and fairest payouts were the BRN4D payouts, but is there any one system/percentages you prefer?
You pull the stakes back out. You may have to adjust the pattern size from time to time due to wet arena conditions for example. If whomever is working the arena for other events isn't careful they'll jerk them out anyway, and then you'll probably never get them back.
Make 2 sets of stakes as well so you have extras. Stakes, shovel, good hammer(s), 300' tape, high vis electrical tape for the fence all in a 5 gallon bucket.
Just remember if the arena isn't a standard pattern you'll need to do some math and scale the pattern down to fit.
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | OhMax - 2017-06-01 1:28 PM mtcanchazer - 2017-05-31 9:36 AM Thanks for all the advice and it is most appreciated it! So 6 people minimum to make it run smoothly with office, barrel setting, gate, etc. And I do like things to run smoothly!
This particular arena I'm looking at has never had stakes and I've run there before and it never seemed to be an issue, but I haven't run there in probably 5 years as no one has put on barrel races at the arena (ground was decent when I was there, so I don't know why). It is mainly use for roping. It is definitely a "standard" pattern arena, I know that much. Thank you for the tips on the stakes, it sounds like it isn't too difficult. Because it is a roping arena, how do you go about pulling them back up when you are done? Or do you?
Also, I have a payout calculator that figures payouts for NBHA, BRN4D, and IBRA. To me the simplest and fairest payouts were the BRN4D payouts, but is there any one system/percentages you prefer? You pull the stakes back out. You may have to adjust the pattern size from time to time due to wet arena conditions for example. If whomever is working the arena for other events isn't careful they'll jerk them out anyway, and then you'll probably never get them back. Make 2 sets of stakes as well so you have extras. Stakes, shovel, good hammer (s ), 300' tape, high vis electrical tape for the fence all in a 5 gallon bucket. Just remember if the arena isn't a standard pattern you'll need to do some math and scale the pattern down to fit.
The arena will fit a standard pattern, but thanks for the info on staking.  | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| Lots of good advice already. Put everything in writing on the flyer or advertising ie start time, fees, dress code etc and make sure it's exactly the way you want BEFORE posting. It will save you a ton of headaches. Make sure you push the exhibitions and start on time!!! Thick skin and best of luck! | |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | OhMax - 2017-05-31 5:53 AM
2 people in the office. One to announce/run the show and one to help record times, figure payoff and answer questions as people come up to the office.
Gate person - maybe 2 depending on the gate setup.
Tractor driver, can also set the 3rd barrel if the tractor parks at that end.
2 additional barrel setters.
So that is 6.
If you offer free warm ups at the next show you may get help with barrel setting - for example if you set a barrel for 2 drags you get a free warm up for the following show.
Run it well and they will come. Run a hot mess and they won't come back.
Ditto this. Maybe one more office person. Plus the drags go by way faster if you have 2 drivers (4 wheelers w/ drags) and then a big rake halfway through. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | iloveequine40 - 2017-06-03 6:35 AM Lots of good advice already. Put everything in writing on the flyer or advertising ie start time, fees, dress code etc and make sure it's exactly the way you want BEFORE posting. It will save you a ton of headaches. Make sure you push the exhibitions and start on time!!! Thick skin and best of luck! Ah yes, no dress code. Thanks for the tip on that, I almost forgot. :) I have definite times for the time onlies/exhibitions and a definite start time. It drives me nuts when time onlies run long and the race is delayed for 1/2 an hour.
Unfortunately, extra people to drag the arena isn't an option at this point (only one tractor and groomer and arena wants it done a certain way), but perhaps in the future.
Edited by mtcanchazer 2017-06-04 12:39 PM
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